Red Lobster — Restaurant in Phoenix

I really enjoy going to Red Lobster when I have the chance to. A very good friend asked me to lunch today and suggested we come here so I was looking forward to our visit. Although the restaurant was empty and there were maybe 3 tables and a few people at the bar, it took a few minutes for us to be seated by a manager. The first table we were offered was dirty so we were offered a second table. The seat I went to sit in was dirty, so I moved into another seat. The manager was nice enough to clean the original seat for us after we sat down. Our server, Ariela, came over after a few minutes and took our drink orders. She came back with our drinks and some bisquits. We had asked her to give us a few moments to look at the menu as we were catching up chatting. Although the biscuits were hot, they tasted as if they had been reheated in a microwave. Our appetizer came out, and we shared it between us. It was quite tasty and just what we expected. Ariel brought our some fresh biscuits for us. A few moments went by, and my tea cup was empty. I'm not sure where she was, but I could have used a refill about three times. I'm not sure if she was the only server, so I took a few sips of my friends water. She finally came over with a refill and took out an order. I ordered the live maine lobster with broccoli and mashed potatoes, and my friend ordered the fish and chips. I had asked if they could take the meat out of my lobster in the kitchen as I would not be able to do it on my own, and it would just save time. We munched on our appetizer a little longer, and our biscuits. Our lunch order finally came out. My friends' fish and chips looked amazing. I couldn't wait to get my lobster. I was so hungry. I was so extremely disappointed. She brought put a plate with the shell in case I wanted to pick at whatever meat was left over( there was not one piece of meat in there) As the plate of lobster was put in front of me, I was waiting to see where the rest of it was. On the plate I saw what looked like maybe half a claw, a tail the size of a crayfish, and some scraps of lobster meat. Ariela stated it was the easiest lobster she has ever shelled. I was so hungry, I didn't say anything and just wanted to eat whatever was brought out. I figured at least the mashed potatoes and the broccoli would be filling. Well I was wrong there too. The broccoli was extremely salty, the mashed potatoes were pasty and had no flavor. At least I had the biscuits and the appetizer had given me something. For what my friend paid for my meal I was hoping for something a little more filling, much more lobster than a crayfish and more flavor. What once was one of my favorite restaurants to eat at and enjoy one of my favorite foods. Disappointed me...

This was my first time at this red lobster location. Walked into the restaurant nobody waiting and the host was no where to be found. It was just me as I was waiting for my friend to come. I finally got seated and asked what I wanted to drink from the bartender who was also my server that night and she brought biscuits and waters just in time for my friend to arrive. We both decided on the endless shrimp and placed our orders. It took forever for our first order of shrimp to arrive, our waitress (the bar tender) only refilled our waters once and upon asking for bread was told we’d have to wait (ps it came finally at the end of the meal) the table behind us was so distrusted with their service they gave their food back and left the restaurant. Our second and third servings came hot but again took some time but didn’t seem so bad because we had just finished first courses. When we were ready to leave we asked for boxes I still had bread to take and my coleslaw in addition to the shrimp. The price increased to $25 for endless shrimp and in order to get two sides as they used to do it would’ve been another $5 for that side and a drink included. When we asked for the boxes the manager gave us a snarky “I’ll do it this time but we don’t allow shrimp to leave as leftovers” well hot dang I spent all this money in your restaurant and you’re going to throw my food away. Not a good value anymore stay away or avoid unless your restaurant turns a blind eye and allows you take food with you the value is just not there and customer service extremely lacking. I wouldn’t want to work under that manager either because she doesn’t seem to be in the people pleasing business. Shame on you Red Lobster company for allowing this...

There were 2 of us & our meals DID NOT COME OUT TOGETHER. So needless to say we didn't eat together. We were sitting at the same table but that was as close as the two of us got to having "dinner together".....

I ordered the all you can eat shrimp which was supposed to have two types of shrimp (guests choice) and a side. Fried shrimp & scampi were my picks, My friend ordered a fish dinner which came with two sides. Since mine was the all you can eat shrimp, I then would have the choice to order an additional "side" of shrimp once I had completed my original two. HOPE THAT MADE SENSE!

Our waitress brought my friends entire fish dinner including her sides & what I received as my dinner was a SMALL SIDE DISH PLATE with about 8 fried shrimp on it & a small condiment dish of cocktail sauce. NO LEMON, NO RICE (my side), and NO SCAMPI (which was to be my 2nd selection). When I ask the waitress what happened to the rest of my dinner she said that it wasn't finished being cooked yet and that she would bring it out when it was done. By the time the rest of my dinner did finally arrive my friend had already finished eating her dinner!

Is it really that tough to bring two complete dinners to a table at the same time for two people to enjoy together?? That's the whole reason two people would go out to dinner together in the first place!!

The evening was a total bust and needless to say the third type that I ordered since I never got my second choice, that third type of shrimp that I ordered never got to the table either!!! But I bet you can't guess what did get to the table with no problem.... You guessed it...the freaking check...